Dedicated to memory
Vissarion Grigorievich
BELINSKY
I
What, Peter, haven’t you seen yet? asked on May 20, 1859, going out without a hat onto the low porch of the inn on the *** highway, a gentleman of about forty years old, in a dusty coat and checkered trousers, asked his servant, a young and cheeky fellow with whitish down on his chin and small dull eyes. The servant, in whom everything: the turquoise earring in his ear, the pomaded multi-colored hair, and courteous body movements, in a word, everything revealed a man of the newest, improved generation, looked condescendingly along the road and answered: “No way, sir, not to be seen.” Can't see? - repeated the master. “You can’t see,” the servant answered again. The master sighed and sat down on the bench. Let us introduce the reader to him while he sits with his legs tucked under him and thoughtfully looking around. His name is Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov. Fifteen miles from the inn he has a good estate of two hundred souls, or, as he puts it since he separated himself from the peasants and started a “farm,” two thousand dessiatines of land. His father, a military general in 1812, a semi-literate, rude, but not evil Russian man, pulled his weight all his life, commanded first a brigade, then a division, and lived constantly in the provinces, where, due to his rank, he played a fairly significant role. Nikolai Petrovich was born in the south of Russia, like his elder brother Pavel, who will be discussed later, and was raised until the age of fourteen at home, surrounded by cheap tutors, cheeky but obsequious adjutants and other regimental and staff personalities. His parent, from the family of Kolyazins, in the maidens Agathe, and in the generals Agathoklea Kuzminishna Kirsanova, belonged to the number of “mother commanders”, wore lush caps and noisy silk dresses, was the first to approach the cross in church, spoke loudly and a lot, admitted children in the morning to the hand, she blessed them at night, in a word, she lived for her own pleasure. As a general's son, Nikolai Petrovich, although he was not only not distinguished by courage, but even earned the nickname of a coward, had to, like his brother Pavel, enter the military service; but he broke his leg on the very day when the news of his determination had already arrived, and, after lying in bed for two months, he remained “lame” for the rest of his life. His father waved his hand at him and let him go in civilian clothes. He took him to St. Petersburg as soon as he was eighteen years old and placed him in the university. By the way, his brother became an officer in a guards regiment at that time. The young people began to live together, in the same apartment, under the distant supervision of their cousin maternal side, Ilya Kolyazin, an important official. Their father returned to his division and to his wife and only occasionally sent his sons large quarters of gray paper, covered with a sweeping clerk's handwriting. At the end of these quarters were the words carefully surrounded by “frills”: “Piotr Kirsanof, Major General.” In 1835, Nikolai Petrovich left the university as a candidate, and in the same year General Kirsanov, dismissed for an unsuccessful inspection, came to St. Petersburg with his wife to live. He rented a house near the Tauride Garden and enrolled in English club, but suddenly died from a blow. Agathoklea Kuzminishna soon followed him: she could not get used to the remote capital life; the melancholy of a retired existence gnawed at her. Meanwhile, Nikolai Petrovich managed, while his parents were still alive and much to their chagrin, to fall in love with the daughter of the official Prepolovensky, former owner his apartment, a pretty and, as they say, developed girl: she read serious articles in magazines in the Sciences section. He married her as soon as the period of mourning had passed, and, leaving the Ministry of Appanages, where, under the patronage of his father, he had been enrolled, he lived in bliss with his Masha, first at the dacha near the Forestry Institute, then in the city, in a small and pretty apartment, with a clean staircase and a cold living room, finally in the village, where he finally settled and where his son Arkady was soon born. The couple lived very well and quietly: they almost never parted, read together, played four hands on the piano, sang duets; she planted flowers and looked after the poultry yard, he occasionally went hunting and did housework, and Arkady grew and grew, also well and quietly. Ten years passed like a dream. In 1947, Kirsanov’s wife died. He barely endured this blow and turned gray in a few weeks; I was about to go abroad to disperse at least a little... but then the year 1948 came. He inevitably returned to the village and, after quite a long period of inactivity, began economic reforms. In 1955 he took his son to university; lived with him for three winters in St. Petersburg, almost never going anywhere and trying to make acquaintances with Arkady’s young comrades. He could not come for the last winter, and now we see him in May 1859, already completely gray-haired, plump and slightly hunched over: he is waiting for his son, who, like himself once, received the title of candidate. The servant, out of a sense of decency, and perhaps not wanting to remain under the master's eye, went under the gate and lit a pipe. Nikolai Petrovich hung his head and began to look at the dilapidated steps of the porch: a large motley chicken was sedately walking along them, firmly knocking its large yellow legs; the dirty cat looked at him unfriendlyly, coyly snuggling on the railing. The sun was hot; The smell of warm rye bread wafted from the dim hallway of the inn. Our Nikolai Petrovich was daydreaming. “Son... candidate... Arkasha...” was constantly spinning in his head; he tried to think about something else, and the same thoughts returned again. He remembered his deceased wife... “I couldn’t wait!” he whispered sadly... A fat rock dove flew onto the road and hurriedly went to drink in a puddle near the well. Nikolai Petrovich began to look at him, and his ear was already catching the sound of approaching wheels... “They’re not going, sir,” the servant reported, emerging from under the gate. Nikolai Petrovich jumped up and fixed his eyes along the road. A tarantass appeared, drawn by three Yamsk horses; in the tarantass the band of a student's cap flashed, the familiar outline of a dear face... Arkasha! Arkasha! Kirsanov shouted, and ran, and waved his arms... A few moments later, his lips were already attached to the beardless, dusty and tanned cheek of the young candidate.The problem of relationships between fathers and children is eternal. The reason lies in differences in life views. Each generation has its own truth, and it is extremely difficult to understand each other, and sometimes there is no desire. Contrasting worldviews- this is the basis of the work Fathers and Sons, summary, which we will consider.
About the product
Creation
The idea of creating the work “Fathers and Sons” arose from the writer Ivan Turgenev in August 1860. The author writes to Countess Lambert about his intention to write a new big story. In the fall he goes to Paris, and in September he writes to Annenkov about the final drawing up a plan and serious intentions in creating a novel. But Turgenev works rather slowly and doubts good result. However, having received an approving opinion from literary critic Botkin, plans to complete the creation in the spring.
The beginning of winter - period active work writer, within three weeks the third part of the work was written. Turgenev asked to describe in detail in his letters how things were in the life of Russia. This happened before, and in order to be privy to the events of the country, Ivan Sergeevich decides to return.
Attention! The history of writing ended on July 20, 1861, when the author was in Spassky. In the fall, Turgenev again goes to France. There, during a meeting, he shows his creation to Botkin and Sluchevsky and receives many comments that push him to make changes to the text.
in spring next year the novel is published in magazine "Russian Herald" and he immediately became the object of polemical discussion. The controversy did not subside even after the death of Turgenev.
Genre and number of chapters
If we characterize the genre of the work, then “Fathers and Sons” is 28 chapter novel, showing socially - political situation in the country before the abolition of serfdom.
main idea
What is it about? we're talking about? In his creation “fathers and sons” Turgenev describes contradiction and misunderstanding different generations , and also wants to find a way out of the current situation, ways to get rid of the problem.
The struggle between the two camps is a confrontation between everything that is established and what is radically new, era of democrats and aristocrats, or helplessness and determination.
Turgenev is trying to show what has come time for change and instead of people of the outdated system, nobles, active, energetic and young people come. The old system has become obsolete, and the new one has not yet been formed. The novel “Fathers and Sons” shows us the turn of an era when society is in turmoil and is unable to live either according to the old canons or the new ones.
The new generation in the novel is represented by Bazarov, around whom the confrontation between “fathers and sons” takes place. He is a representative of a whole galaxy younger generation, for whom complete denial of everything has become the norm. Everything old is unacceptable to them, but they can't bring anything new.
The conflict of worldviews is clearly shown between him and the elder Kirsanov: the rude and straightforward Bazarov and the mannered and refined Kirsanov. The images described by Turgenev are multifaceted and ambiguous. Bazarov's attitude towards the world does not bring happiness at all. They outlined their purpose to society - fight against old ways, but the introduction of new ideas and views in their place does not bother him.
Turgenev did this for a reason, thereby showing that before the collapse of something established, it is necessary to find a worthy replacement for it. If there is no alternative, then even what was intended to solve the problem positively will only make it worse.
Conflict of generations in the novel “Fathers and Sons.”
Heroes of the novel
The main characters of “Fathers and Sons” are:
- Bazarov Evgeny Vasilievich. Young student learning to become a doctor. Adheres to the ideology of nihilism, questions the liberal views of the Kirsanovs and traditional views own parents. At the end of the work, he falls in love with Anna, and his views of denying everything in the world are changed by love. He will become a village doctor, and due to his own carelessness he will become infected with typhus and die.
- Kirsanov Nikolai Petrovich. Is the father of Arkady, widower. Landowner. He lives on the estate with Fenechka, a commoner woman, whom he feels and is ashamed of, but then takes her as his wife.
- Kirsanov Pavel Petrovich. He is Nikolai's older brother. He retired officer, a representative of a privileged layer, is proud and self-confident, shares the ideas of liberalism. Often participates in disputes with Bazarov at the most different topics: art, science, love, nature and more. Hatred towards Bazarov develops into a duel, which he himself initiated. During the duel he is wounded, fortunately the wound turns out to be minor.
- Kirsanov Arkady Nikolaevich. Is the son of Nicholas. Candidate of Sciences at the University. Like his friend Bazarov, he is a nihilist. At the end of the book he will abandon his worldview.
- Bazarov Vasily Ivanovich. Is the father of the main character, was a surgeon in the army. Medical practice didn't leave it. Lives on his wife's estate. An educated person understands that living in a village, he was cut off from modern ideas. Conservative, religious.
- Bazarova Arina Vlasevna. She is the main character's mother. She owns the Bazarov estate and fifteen serfs. Superstitious, pious, suspicious, sensitive woman. He loves his son infinitely, and is worried that he has renounced his faith. She herself is a follower of the Orthodox faith.
- Odintsova Anna Sergeevna. Is a widow, rich. On his estate he welcomes friends who hold nihilistic views. She likes Bazarov, but after his declaration of love, there is no reciprocity. He puts a calm life in the foreground, in which there are no worries.
- Katerina. Anna Sergeevna's sister, but unlike her, she is quiet and unnoticeable. He plays the clavichord. Arkady Kirsanov spends a lot of time with her, while he is passionately in love with Anna. Then he realizes that he loves Katerina and marries her.
Other heroes:
- Fenechka. Housekeeper's Daughter younger brother Kirsanova. After his mother died, she became his mistress and gave birth to his son.
- Sitnikov Victor. He is a nihilist and acquaintance of Bazarov.
- Kukshina Evdokia. Victor's friend, a nihilist.
- Kolyazin Matvey Ilyich. He is a city official.
The main characters of the novel "Fathers and Sons".
Plot
Fathers and sons are summarized below. 1859 – year when the novel begins.
The young people arrived in Maryino and live in the house of brothers Nikolai and Pavel Kirsanov. Senior Kirsanov and Bazarov are not found common language, and frequent conflict situations They force Evgeniy to leave for another city N. Arkady also goes there. There they communicate with urban youth (Sitnikova and Kukshina), who adhere to nihilistic views.
At the governor's ball they hold meeting Odintsova, and then go to her estate, Kukshina is destined to stay in the city. Odintsova rejects the declaration of love, and Bazarov has to leave Nikolskoye. He and Arkady go to parents' house and are visiting there. Evgeny does not like the excessive care of his parents, he decides to leave Vasily Ivanovich and Arina Vlasevna, and
In the sixties of the 19th century it was published novel by Ivan Turgenev"Fathers and Sons". This book became iconic for its time. The image of Bazarov - the main character - was perceived by young people as an example to follow. More than 150 years have passed since its first publication. Turgenev's novel is still popular. What is main idea books? Why is it relevant even today, in the 21st century? Detailed analysis The work “Fathers and Sons” will help you find answers to these and other questions.
On the eve of the Reform
The events that Turgenev told readers about took place in June 1859. Very soon serfdom will be abolished in Russia. An event will occur that will radically change Russian society. This will happen in 1861. However, a special mood and a thirst for change are already in the air. First of all, enlightened young people are susceptible to it. Such sentiments are alien to old landowners. When analyzing the work “Fathers and Sons” by Turgenev, it is certainly necessary to make a small historical digression.
The problem of fathers and sons
The main character of the novel is Evgeny Bazarov. He treats his friend Arkady Kirsanov with some disdain. However, when reading Turgenev’s novel, one gets the impression that main character and is not capable of deeper feelings. However, this is a misleading impression.
The analysis of the work “Fathers and Sons” usually begins with deciphering the title. A book by a Russian classic about the clash of two generations. Fathers don't understand their sons. Children are convinced that their parents’ views are backward and irrelevant. So it was, is and will be. But this is not the main idea of the work “Fathers and Sons”. Analysis novel by Ivan Turgenev allows you to feel and understand the depth mental anguish main character.
Plot
Bazarov spends several weeks at his friend's family estate. Here the main character clashes with one of the Kirsanovs, Pavel Petrovich. Evgeny is a nihilist, that is, a person who has no authority. He does not accept a single principle, and he is completely indifferent to how respect this principle is surrounded. This point of view is shocking to the older generation.
Bazarov despises art, music, poetry. And he calls all this contemptuously “romanticism.” Bazarov studies natural sciences. I am sure that you should only do what will bring benefits. He is the son of a doctor and plans to treat men himself. One day he proudly says: “My grandfather plowed the land.” In fact, this person is very ambitious. And it is unlikely that he would be satisfied with the modest work of a rural doctor.
Bazarov is convinced that he will never be inflamed with passion for a woman. After all, this is a weakness that can lead you astray true path. But one day he meets Anna Odintsova and realizes how much he was mistaken. The aristocratic widow does not reciprocate his feelings. And then a terrible, all-consuming emptiness settles in the soul of the main character. It is unknown what such experiences would have led to if not for sudden death.
One day, while conducting experiments, the main character gets infected. He soon realizes that his days are numbered. Bazarov dies. They forget about it after six months. True, on rural cemetery, to the modest grave, very often old people come, who madly loved and were proud of their son. These are the parents of Yevgeny Bazarov.
History of writing
When analyzing the work “Fathers and Sons,” it is imperative to say at least a few words about how this imperishable novel was created. The idea for the book came to the writer in 1960. At this time he was in England.
Of course, the author in his book primarily wanted to raise the issue of the abolition of serfdom. Russian landowner society looked rather pitiful against the backdrop of progressive European society.
Shortly before starting work on the novel, Turgenev stopped collaborating with the Sovremennik magazine. One of the young critics spoke very unflatteringly about the work “On the Eve”. Turgenev first thought about the huge gap between generations.
Many in Russia did not understand the raznochintsy, these strange young people who talk about the bitter fate of the Russian peasant, about equality, about freedom. Even with brief analysis The work “Fathers and Sons” is worth emphasizing: the writer devoted his book not only to the problems of misunderstanding between fathers and sons. Turgenev raised the issue of the conflict between new views and conservatism.
A logical question arises. Serfdom was abolished in 1861, and Turgenev’s book is still read today. Why? The fact is that, in addition to the above-mentioned problem, Turgenev touched on the topic of love, friendship, and loneliness. Questions that will always be relevant were raised by the writer in this work. Analyzing the novel “Fathers and Sons” is a difficult but interesting task. After all, the book speaks not so much about politics as about simple human feelings.
What is Bazarov's tragedy?
This is another one important question, which is worth answering in a brief analysis of Turgenev’s work “Fathers and Sons”. Bazarov denies the beauty of nature, love, music, poetry. He also does not recognize philosophical thinking. Art is just “nonsense” for him. He calls the elder Kirsanovs “old men,” “retired people.” The tragedy of the main character is due to his nihilistic views. He is convinced that everything old should be destroyed in order to build a new one in its place. Evgeny Bazarov even considers love to be something that is subject to destruction - a feeling without which a person cannot exist.
Bazarov's tragedy, of course, lies in its lack of fulfillment. Before his death, he was suddenly visited by doubts. Does Russia need it? Bazarov does not find an answer to this question. Turgenev's attitude towards his hero is contradictory. On the one hand, he does not share Bazarov’s views. On the other hand, he feels sympathy and pity for him, which is especially readable in last lines novel.
Other characters
A complete analysis of the work “Fathers and Sons” includes characteristics of each character. Special attention It’s worth paying attention, perhaps, to Nikolai Petrovich, the father of Arkady Kirsanov. After all, this hero is opposed to Bazarov.
Nikolai Petrovich does not adhere to strict political and social views. He is not at all ambitious. Kirsanov does not read German philosophers, but reads Pushkin, which causes obvious disapproval from Bazarov. In addition, the landowner of liberal views loves music and even plays the cello occasionally.
The main difference between him and the lonely nihilist, of course, is not his bookish tastes. Nikolai Petrovich knows how to love. And then at the end of the story, he is one of the few who finds happiness.
Anna Odintsova
There are several in the novel female images. But the most interesting of them, undoubtedly, is the image of Anna Odintsova. The rich widow became interested in a young man who spoke rather strange, but interesting speeches. But no more.
Anna could not share Evgenia’s feelings. She, like him, rejects love. But if Bazarov was previously convinced that love would prevent him from achieving his goal, which, by the way, turned out to be quite vague, then Odintsova refuses love only for the sake of peace of mind. This cold woman I like how measured she is quiet life without feelings or worries.
Chapter 1 On May 20, 1859, on the porch of the inn, Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov was waiting for his son. Kirsanov is in his forties, he is a landowner on an estate of two hundred souls. Nikolai and his brother were supposed to follow in the footsteps of their father, the general. Brother Pavel went into military service, and Nikolai broke his leg before being sent to the service and therefore entered the university. Soon the parents died, and then Nikolai Petrovich happily married and had a son, Arkady. After the death of his wife, Kirsanov plunged into worries about the household. Arkady, like his father, graduated from university and returns home. 2 Arkady does not arrive alone, his father meets Evgeny Vasilyevich Bazarov. At Bazarov's courageous voice, long, thin face with wide forehead and a calm smile. His appearance expresses self-confidence and intelligence. All together they go to the estate. 3 Nikolai Petrovich finds out that Bazarov is studying to become a doctor. Arkady is happy to return to his native land, but pretends to be indifferent. His father feels awkward because of his son’s strange behavior and because he is forced to admit to him that he keeps a girl, Fenechka, in the house. Arkady condescendingly reassures his father. On the road, he notices that the people on his estate are completely exhausted and impoverished; he thinks about reforms, but does not know how to approach this matter. Finally, they arrived in Maryino. 4 At home, Arkady is met by his uncle Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. Pavel Petrovich, despite his forty-five, is youthful, well-groomed and fashionably dressed. They meet Bazarov. At dinner, Arkady behaves cheekily to demonstrate his maturity. In a conversation with Arkady, Bazarov ridicules his uncle as an empty dandy, but considers his father to be a nice, good-natured man, although he reproaches him for excessive sensitivity and romanticism. 5 In the morning, Bazarov and the yard boys went to get frogs for experiments. Arkady meets Fenechka and finds out that he has a half-brother. At breakfast, he tells his father and uncle that Bazarov is a nihilist, a man who does not take a single principle for granted. This causes sharp rejection from Pavel Kirsanov, who is convinced that without principles one cannot even breathe. 6 At the table, Pavel Petrovich attacks Bazarov for his lack of convictions. Bazarov does not want to support the dispute, although he speaks out in favor of science, contrasting it with “useless” art. Uncle Arkady says with annoyance that for young people everything he has learned in life is nonsense, and the knowledge he has acquired makes him retarded. Arkady asks Bazarov to be fair to his uncle and tells his story. 7 Pavel Petrovich fell in love with the mysterious Princess R. in his youth. When the princess hides from him abroad, Kirsanov leaves military service and follows her. The relationship does not finally work out, and Kirsanov returns to Russia. A few years later, the princess dies, and Pavel Petrovich tries to find peace on his brother’s estate, remaining an inveterate bachelor. Bazarov is not touched by the story of Pavel Kirsanov; he believes that a person who has lost everything because of love is not a man. Arkady justifies his uncle by his upbringing and the time in which he lived. Bazarov replies that a person must educate himself, and not depend on his time. 8 Pavel Petrovich visits Fenechka. Fenechka is the daughter of a housekeeper; after her mother’s death, the kindness and thoughtfulness of her father Arkady captivated her heart. Pavel Petrovich asks to show him Mitya, his nephew. Nikolai Petrovich finds his brother in the girl’s room. Pavel Petrovich immediately leaves and locks himself in his office with an expression of despair on his face. 9 While walking through the garden, Bazarov meets Fenechka, he likes her artlessness. In a conversation with Arkady, Bazarov says that everything is nothing, except two times two is four, that “nature is not a temple, but a workshop, and man is a worker in it.” He makes fun of Arkady's father for playing the cello. Arkady doesn't like this. 10 Nikolai Petrovich accidentally heard Bazarov call him a “retired man.” It’s a shame for the “old Kirsanovs” that young people are writing them off. Especially Pavel Petrovich, who sees Bazarov as an irreconcilable enemy. He decides to besiege the nihilist and enters into a fierce argument with him. Bazarov parries Kirsanov's attacks. He says: “In the present time, denial is most useful - we deny,” not only art, poetry, but everything in general. Before building anything, “you first need to clear the place,” says Bazarov. Nikolai Petrovich, although he does not agree with Bazarov, feels that he is a representative of a new generation in which there is some kind of strength. Pavel Petrovich is confident that the truth is behind him and that without principles there will be no order in Russia. 11 After the dispute, Nikolai Petrovich plunged into sad thoughts. He remembers his youth, the experiences and emotions that overwhelmed him then, and tears involuntarily well up in his eyes. He feels the gap between himself and his son, fully aware that the causeless tears of a forty-four-year-old man can only cause ridicule among young people. Meanwhile, Bazarov and Arkady decide to go to visit a relative of the Kirsanovs.
May 20, 1859 Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, a forty-three-year-old, but no longer young-looking landowner, nervously awaits his son at the inn Arcadia who just graduated from university.
Nikolai Petrovich was the son of a general, but destined for him military career did not take place (he broke his leg in his youth and remained “lame” for the rest of his life). Nikolai Petrovich married the daughter of a lowly official early and was happy in his marriage. To his deep grief, his wife died in 1847. He devoted all his energy and time to raising his son, even in St. Petersburg he lived with him and tried to get closer to his son’s friends and students. Lately he busily began transforming his estate.
Coming happy moment dates. However, Arkady does not appear alone: with him is a tall, ugly and self-confident young man, an aspiring doctor who agreed to stay with the Kirsanovs. His name, as he attests to himself, is Evgeniy Vasilyevich Bazarov.
The conversation between father and son does not go well at first. Nikolai Petrovich is embarrassed by Fenechka, the girl whom he keeps with him and with whom he already has a child. Arkady, in a condescending tone (this slightly offends his father), tries to smooth out the awkwardness that has arisen.
Pavel Petrovich, their father’s elder brother, is waiting for them at home. Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov immediately begin to feel mutual antipathy. But the yard boys and servants willingly obey the guest, although he does not even think about seeking their favor.
The very next day between Bazarov And Pavel Petrovich a verbal skirmish occurs, and its initiator is Kirsanov Sr. Bazarov does not want to polemicize, but still speaks out on the main points of his beliefs. People, according to his ideas, strive for one or another goal because they experience different “sensations” and want to achieve “benefits.” Bazarov is sure that chemistry is more important than art, and in science it is most important practical result. He is even proud of his lack of “artistic sense” and believes that there is no need to study the psychology of an individual: “One human specimen is enough to judge all others.” For Bazarov, there is not a single “resolution in our modern life... that would not cause complete and merciless denial.” ABOUT own abilities He has a high opinion, but assigns a non-creative role to his generation - “first we need to clear the place.”
To Pavel Petrovich, the “nihilism” professed by Bazarov and Arkady, who imitates him, seems to be a daring and unfounded teaching that exists “in emptiness.”
Arkady tries to somehow smooth out the tension that has arisen and tells his friend the life story of Pavel Petrovich. He was a brilliant and promising officer, a favorite of women, until he met the socialite Princess R*. This passion completely changed the existence of Pavel Petrovich, and when their romance ended, he was completely devastated. From the past he retains only the sophistication of his costume and manners and his preference for everything English.
Bazarov’s views and behavior irritate Pavel Petrovich so much that he again attacks the guest, but he quite easily and even condescendingly breaks all the enemy’s “syllogisms” aimed at protecting traditions. Nikolai Petrovich seeks to soften the dispute, but he cannot agree with Bazarov’s radical statements in everything, although he convinces himself that he and his brother are already behind the times.
The young people go to the provincial town, where they meet with Bazarov’s “student”, the son of a tax farmer, Sitnikov. Sitnikov takes them to visit the “emancipated” lady, Kukshina. Sitnikov and Kukshina belong to that category of “progressives” who reject any authority, chasing the fashion for “free thinking.” They don’t really know or know how to do anything, but in their “nihilism” they leave both Arkady and Bazarov far behind them. The latter openly despises Sitnikova, and with Kukshina he “is more interested in champagne.”
Arkady introduces his friend to Odintsova, a young, beautiful and rich widow, in whom Bazarov immediately becomes interested. This interest is by no means platonic. Bazarov cynically says to Arkady: “There is profit...”
It seems to Arkady that he is in love with Odintsova, but this feeling is feigned, while mutual attraction arises between Bazarov and Odintsova, and she invites young people to stay with her.
At Anna Sergeevna's house, guests meet her younger sister Katya, who behaves stiffly. And Bazarov feels out of place, he began to get irritated in the new place and “looked angry.” Arkady is also uneasy, and he seeks solace in Katya’s company.
The feeling instilled in Bazarov by Anna Sergeevna is new to him; he, who so despised all manifestations of “romanticism,” suddenly discovers “romanticism in himself.” Bazarov explains to Odintsova, and although she did not immediately free herself from his embrace, however, after thinking, she comes to the conclusion that “peace […] is better than anything in the world.”
Not wanting to become a slave to his passion, Bazarov goes to his father, to the district doctor, who lives nearby, and Odintsova does not detain the guest. On the road, Bazarov sums up what happened and says: “...It is better to break stones on the pavement than to allow a woman to take possession of even the tip of a finger. This is all […] nonsense.”
Bazarov’s father and mother can’t get enough of their beloved “Enyusha,” and he gets bored in their company. Within a couple of days he leaves his parents’ shelter, returning to the Kirsanov estate.
Out of heat and boredom, Bazarov turns his attention to Fenechka and, finding her alone, kisses the young woman deeply. An accidental witness to the kiss is Pavel Petrovich, who is deeply outraged by the act of “this hairy guy.” He is especially indignant also because it seems to him that Fenechka has something in common with Princess R*.
According to his moral convictions, Pavel Petrovich challenges Bazarov to a duel. Feeling awkward and realizing that he is compromising his principles, Bazarov agrees to shoot with Kirsanov Sr. (“With theoretical point from the perspective of a duel - absurdity; Well, from a practical point of view, this is a different matter."
Bazarov slightly wounds the enemy and himself gives him first aid. Pavel Petrovich behaves well, even makes fun of himself, but at the same time both he and Bazarov feel awkward. Nikolai Petrovich, from whom they hid the real reason duel, also behaves in the most noble manner, finding justification for the actions of both opponents.
The consequence of the duel is that Pavel Petrovich, who had previously strongly opposed his brother’s marriage to Fenechka, now himself persuades Nikolai Petrovich to take this step.
And Arkady and Katya establish a harmonious understanding. The girl astutely notes that Bazarov is a stranger to them, because “he is predatory, and you and I are tame.”
Having finally lost hope of Odintsova’s reciprocity, Bazarov breaks himself and breaks up with her and Arkady. In parting he says former comrade: “You are a nice fellow, but you are still a soft, liberal gentleman...” Arkady is upset, but quite soon he is consoled by Katya’s company, declares his love to her and is assured that he is loved too.
Bazarov returns to his parents’ home and tries to lose himself in his work, but after a few days “the fever of work disappeared from him and was replaced by dreary boredom and dull anxiety.” He tries to talk to the men, but finds nothing but stupidity in their heads. True, the men also see in Bazarov something “like a clown.”
While practicing on the corpse of a typhoid patient, Bazarov wounds his finger and gets blood poisoning. A few days later he notifies his father that, by all indications, his days are numbered.
Before his death, Bazarov asks Odintsova to come and say goodbye to him. He reminds her of his love and admits that all his proud thoughts, like love, have gone to waste. “And now the giant’s whole task is to die decently, although no one cares about this... All the same: I won’t wag my tail.” He says bitterly that Russia does not need him. “And who is needed? I need a shoemaker, I need a tailor, I need a butcher..."
When Bazarov is given communion at the insistence of his parents, “something similar to a shudder of horror was instantly reflected on his dead face.”
Six months pass. Two couples are getting married in a small village church: Arkady and Katya and Nikolai Petrovich and Fenechka. Everyone was happy, but something in this contentment felt artificial, “as if everyone had agreed to act out some kind of simple-minded comedy.”
Over time, Arkady becomes a father and a zealous owner, and as a result of his efforts, the estate begins to generate significant income. Nikolai Petrovich takes on the responsibilities of a peace mediator and works hard in the public sphere. Pavel Petrovich lives in Dresden and, although he still looks like a gentleman, “life is hard for him.”
Kukshina lives in Heidelberg and hangs out with students, studying architecture, in which, according to her, she discovered new laws. Sitnikov married the princess who pushed him around, and, as he assures, continues Bazarov’s “work”, working as a publicist in some dark magazine.
Decrepit old men often come to Bazarov’s grave and cry bitterly and pray for the repose of the soul of their untimely deceased son. The flowers on the grave mound remind of more than just the tranquility of “indifferent” nature; they also talk about eternal reconciliation and endless life...
